Hawaii Opera Theatre will bring "A Little Night Music," the Stephen Sondheim favorite, to the Blaisdell Concert Hall, beginning Aug. 1. Tickets go on sale May 1.

The 1973 Tony Award-winning production, about lovers young and old exploring regrets and rejuvenating choices, produced the popular hit song, "Send in the Clowns."

"We've found that our summer productions are a gateway for developing new audiences," said Karen Tiller, HOT executive director, in a statement. " Many people discover us through our summer season and migrate towards Grand Opera season."

The summer show, generally lighter fare than the winter opera season, still taps opera singers with impressive credits. Performances will continue Aug. 3, 9, 10.

The cast will include Rosalind Elias as Madame Armfeldt; she has logged more than 450 performances in 45 roles over the past 50 years at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Composer Samuel Barber created two roles expressly for Elias and an aria for her in "Vanessa," in collaboration with Gian-Carlo Menotti, entitled "Must the Winter Come So Soon?," considered a treasure for mezzo-sopranos.

Audrey Luna will appear as Anne Egerman, Jake Gardner as Fredrik Egerman, Diane Alexander as Desireé Armfeldt and Derek Taylor as Henrik Egermen.

Henry Akina, HOT artistic director, will direct "Night Music." Of the show slot, he said: "Our summer season allows us to introduce more patrons to the fantastic range of high-caliber, professional artists that come to Hawaii for our productions."

Ticket information: HOT box office at 596-7858, or online at www.hawaiiopera.org.